The Michael Knowles Show

Episode 1816: "Texts From The Charlie Kirk Assassin And His Trans Boyfriend REVEALED"
Date: September 17, 2025
Host: Michael Knowles (The Daily Wire)

Overview

In this episode, Michael Knowles reacts to the latest revelations surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, focusing on the newly released text messages between the alleged shooter and the suspect’s trans-identifying boyfriend. The episode also analyzes the response of the media, law enforcement, and the legal system to the murder and associated left-wing political violence, as well as controversial remarks from Attorney General Pam Bondi regarding hate speech. Knowles critiques both the left’s and institutions’ reactions to these events, emphasizing the seriousness of political violence and the cultural implications for free speech and societal norms.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charlie Kirk Speaking Tour Will Continue

• Michael Knowles recounts his connection to Charlie Kirk, explaining that he and Kirk were scheduled to speak together at the University of Minneapolis.
• Despite Kirk’s assassination, Knowles affirms that TPUSA intends to continue the speaking tour, emphasizing resistance to left-wing attempts at silencing conservative voices.
  • “TPUSA will not [back down]. And so Charlie's speaking tour will go on...” [02:09]

2. Utah County DA's Revelations: The Texts Between Shooter & Boyfriend

• Knowles plays a statement from the Utah County District Attorney, reading out text messages between the alleged shooter “Robinson” and his trans-identifying boyfriend immediately before and after the assassination.
• The texts detail the suspect’s planning, execution, attempts to hide the weapon, fears about being identified, and attempts to exonerate the boyfriend.
  • E.g., “I had the opportunity to take out Charlie Kirk and I’m going to take it.”
  • The boyfriend allegedly expresses disbelief and concern but is repeatedly reassured.
  • [Full DA statement: 04:55–09:13]

3. Knowles' Analysis & Skepticism About the Texts

• Knowles is openly skeptical of the authenticity or honesty of the texts, believing they read “like bad fiction” designed to clear the boyfriend of foreknowledge or involvement.
• He questions the logic of laying out incriminating details in a “digital footprint” that conveniently exonerates one party.
  • “Not only do I think these people are liars, I think they are bad liars.” [09:38]
• Knowles also notes reference to engraved bullets in texts—something he says would only make sense if the boyfriend was aware of the planning.
  • “If the trans furry boyfriend didn’t know anything about the shooting, why would the alleged shooter bring up engraving the bullets as something … he would know about?” [13:07]

4. Media Reaction to the Texts

• Knowles plays a clip from ABC News, in which the reporter describes the text messages as “touching” and “an intimate portrait into this relationship,” expressing surprise at emotional exchanges between the shooter and his partner.
  • “But also it was very touching in a way that I think many of us didn't expect. A very intimate portrait…” – ABC News Reporter [17:31]
• Knowles is shocked and disgusted by this reaction, accusing the media of normalizing or even romanticizing deviant and violent behavior.
  • “If your reaction to that text exchange is anything other than revulsion… then you have something messed up.” [18:20]

5. Alleged ‘Diversion Guy’ at Crime Scene

• Knowles discusses the presence of an older man who, immediately after the shooting, distracted police by causing a commotion. This man later admitted to creating a diversion to aid the shooter's escape and was found in possession of child sexual abuse material.
  • “...he was just trying to create a distraction so that the real shooter could get away.” [23:47]
• Knowles points to the involvement of this individual as additional evidence of a broader conspiracy and deviant subculture surrounding the attack.

6. Left-Wing Violence and Judicial Response

• The episode draws a connection between the Kirk assassination and other instances of what Knowles frames as left-wing terrorism, such as Luigi Mangione’s ideological murder of a healthcare CEO.
• Knowles criticizes a New York judge’s decision to drop terrorism charges against Mangione, arguing that the crime clearly fits the definition of terrorism.
  • “If that’s not terrorism, what is?” [29:44]
• He emphasizes a pattern where authorities systematically avoid classifying left-wing violence as political terrorism, skewing statistics and undermining justice.
  • “...the authorities will not count left wing terrorism as terrorism. That's how you get these numbers...” [31:18]

7. Controversial Remarks by Attorney General Pam Bondi on Hate Speech

• Knowles critiques Attorney General Pam Bondi for advocating prosecution of “hate speech,” noting that almost no true conservatives support prosecuting “hate speech” as opposed to legitimate criminal threats or incitement.
  • “There is not one, apparently, other than the Attorney General.” [33:19]
• He distinguishes between permissible limitations on speech (fraud, explicit threats, obscenity) and the vague, left-leaning concept of “hate speech.”
• Bondi goes on to say that businesses should terminate employees celebrating Kirk’s murder, and that companies like Office Depot should be compelled (perhaps through prosecution) to print certain materials, positions Knowles finds poorly reasoned and inconsistent with conservative free speech principles.
  • “This is just completely, completely tone deaf.” [33:19]
  • “There was a distinction here … in the case of Jack Phillips, it's basically, you can buy the pre made cake, but I'm not making you a custom cake…” [37:33]

8. Calls for Consequence Culture—Expulsions and Deplatformings

• Knowles supports Texas State University’s decision to expel a student who mocked Kirk’s assassination at a vigil, arguing that such behavior is incompatible with university values.
  • Reads: “I will not tolerate behavior that mocks, trivializes, or promotes violence on our campuses...” – Texas State President [approx 39:01]
• He calls for the deplatforming of left-wing online personalities, such as Destiny (Steven Bonnell) and Hasan Piker, for encouraging or celebrating violence against conservatives.
  • “They should be fully deplatformed from social media. Fully deplatformed.” [40:21]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On the texts between the shooter and his boyfriend:

“It reads like fiction, but it reads like bad fiction. Not only do I think these people are liars, I think they are bad liars. I think they're not intelligent liars.”
— Michael Knowles [09:38]

On media's reaction to the texts:

“But also it was very touching in a way that I think many of us didn't expect. A very intimate portrait...”
— ABC News Reporter [17:31]

“If your reaction to that text exchange is anything other than revulsion to the point of vomiting ... then you have something messed up ... and you need to get it fixed, because this is revolting.”
— Michael Knowles [18:20]

On the judge dropping terrorism charges:

“If that’s not terrorism, what is? Does anyone seriously think Luigi Mangione killed the healthcare CEO whom he had never met before, who he didn't know from Adam because he just didn't like the cut of his jib?”
— Michael Knowles [29:44]

On Pam Bondi’s hate speech prosecution suggestion:

“I'm not exaggerating when I tell you, with the exception of Pam Bondi, apparently there is not one conservative in America who believes that there is a distinction between free speech and hate speech and that hate speech needs to be prosecuted by the federal government.”
— Michael Knowles [33:19]

On consequences for mocking Kirk’s murder:

“Anyone who engages in this kind of behavior should be expelled … Anyone who engages in this kind of behavior should be fired … Anyone who engages in this kind of behavior should be deplatformed. There is no hypocrisy here in any way.”
— Michael Knowles [38:14]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:00–02:09 — Introduction, Kirk speaking tour to continue
• 04:55–09:13 — DA reads shooter and boyfriend’s texts
• 09:24–14:20 — Knowles analyzes and questions the texts, points to possible wider conspiracy
• 17:31–18:05 — ABC News calls texts “touching,” Knowles reacts
• 23:47–27:00 — The “diversion guy”/alleged co-conspirator's role, disturbing personal details
• 27:55–32:48 — Mangione case, judiciary’s reluctance to recognize left-wing terrorism
• 32:48–33:19 — Pam Bondi calls for prosecution of hate speech
• 37:05–37:33 — Bondi calls for firing and prosecution/suing businesses over content
• 39:01–40:21 — Expulsions at universities, deplatforming of online personalities

Tone

• Direct, confrontational, and unapologetically partisan: Knowles is scathing toward both left-wing actors and what he sees as institutional cowardice.
• Emphasizes moral clarity and a need for “consequence culture” among conservatives and institutions.
• Sarcastic and caustic in addressing media reactions and the rhetoric of those he sees as covering up or excusing political violence.

Conclusion

This episode centers on the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the debate over left-wing violence, and the cultural and legal responses to these events. Knowles maintains that the mainstream media and elements of the justice system refuse to confront the seriousness of politically motivated violence on the left, while some on the right—including public officials—make damaging missteps in their response. He calls for unity, precision, and strong consequences for those who promote or trivialize such violence, whether in schools, business, or the digital public square.